"Is a Rapid Fetal Heart Rate at 38 Weeks Indicative of Imminent Birth?"
The term "about to give birth" refers to the imminent delivery. "38 weeks" indicates the 38th week of pregnancy. A fast fetal heart rate is usually not a sign of imminent delivery. It can be a normal manifestation or an abnormal one caused by fetal hypoxia. 1. It may be a normal manifestation: At 38 weeks of pregnancy, if the fetus moves in the uterine cavity or suddenly receives stimulation, the fetal heart rate may transiently increase, generally not exceeding 160 beats per minute. After the fetus rests or the stimulation stops, the accelerated fetal heart rate will gradually return to normal, which is a normal phenomenon and usually does not require treatment.
2. It may also be an abnormal manifestation caused by fetal hypoxia: At 38 weeks of pregnancy, maternal hypoxia can lead to fetal distress in the uterus, manifesting as accelerated or decelerated fetal heart rate, excessive or decreased fetal movement, etc. Oxygen inhalation treatment should be immediately administered, and if there are indications for cesarean section, it should be performed promptly.
During the 38th week of pregnancy, the normal fetal heart rate ranges between 120 and 160 beats per minute. If there is a significant increase in fetal heart rate, medical treatment under the guidance of a professional obstetrician-gynecologist is required.